The Philistinesalso had invadedthe citiesof the lowlandand of the Negevof Judah,and had takenBeth-shemesh,Aijalon,Gederoth,and Socowith its villages,Timnahwith its villages,and Gimzowith its villages,and they settledthere.
He defeatedthe Philistinesas faras Gazaand its territory,from watchtowerto fortifiedcity.
Zorah,Aijalonand Hebron,whichare fortifiedcitiesin Judahand in Benjamin.
Beth-zur,Soco,Adullam,
The Arameanson the eastand the Philistineson the west;And they devourIsraelwith gapingjaws.In [spite of] allthis,His angerdoes not turnawayAnd His handis stillstretchedout.
"Beholdnow, I have stretchedout My handagainstyou and diminishedyour rations.And I deliveredyou up to the desireof those who hateyou, the daughtersof the Philistines,who are ashamedof your lewdconduct.
beforeyour wickednesswas uncovered,sonowyou have become the reproachof the daughtersof Edomand of allwho are aroundher, of the daughtersof the Philistines--those surrounding[you] who despiseyou.
Thussaysthe LordGOD,"Becausethe Philistineshave actedin revengeand have takenvengeancewith scornof soulto destroywith everlastingenmity,"
The borderturnedaboutfrom Baalahwestwardto MountSeir,and continuedto the slopeof MountJearimon the north(that is, Chesalon),and wentdownto Beth-shemeshand continuedthroughTimnah.
and Gederoth,Beth-dagonand Naamahand Makkedah;sixteencitieswith their villages.
In the hillcountry:Shamirand Jattirand Socoh,
Then Samsonwentdownto Timnahand sawa womanin Timnah,[one] of the daughtersof the Philistines.
Now the Philistinesgatheredtheir armiesfor battle;and they were gatheredat Socohwhichbelongs to Judah,and they campedbetweenSocohand Azekah,in Ephes-dammim.
"Watch,ifit goesup by the wayof its own territoryto Beth-shemesh,then He has doneus thisgreatevil.But ifnot, then we will knowthat it was not His handthat struckus; it happenedto us by chance."
